A community resource liaison embedded in pediatric primary care mitigates social risks through identification and connection

Children living in poverty frequently experience health-related social needs. The pediatric primary care setting is a common touchpoint, allowing for risk identification and resource connection. METHODS: This is an evaluation of the effect of a community resource liaison's (CRL) first year embedded in a pediatric primary care center, 8/1/2015-7/31/2016. Primary outcomes include needs identified and connections made. Secondary outcomes include preventive service completion and acute utilization. RESULTS: During the study, the CRL interacted with 236 primary care patients, addressing 395 identified needs. The most common needs concerned housing and utilities, public benefits, and food/resource insecurity. The CRL patients were significantly more likely than non-CRL patients to be connected with on-site legal advocates, social workers, and an infant food insecurity program. There was no significant relationship with preventive service completion or use. CONCLUSION: A CRL embedded within a pediatric primary care center enhanced risk identification and resource connection.